Lewiston Special Council Meeting Passes Mobile Home Park Rent Moratorium Extension on 2026-08-26

At a Wednesday evening special meeting on August 26, 2026, the Lewiston City Council held a public hearing and gave final passage to an ordinance extending the moratorium on lot rent increases in mobile home parks, effective September 29, 2026. The vote followed a failed attempt the previous night to suspend rules and pass the measure in a single evening. After public testimony from residents and park owners, the council approved the extension 4-0. No agenda or minutes were provided; this summary relies on the transcript.

Procedural Context

• The council had passed the first reading the prior night (August 25, 2026). A motion to suspend rules for immediate second reading failed, so a second special meeting was called.
• The sole agenda item was public hearing and final passage of the proposed moratorium extension; the requested action set the effective date at September 29, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bert Martell (Ward 7) called the process an absolute failure of governance and said the mayor had not answered his emailed questions about the city attorney and housing committee chair. He also said a housing committee member resigned over process and accountability concerns.
• Andrew Jones (Ward 2) criticized the repeated special meetings and lack of transparency, saying the city has not shown similar urgency about gun violence. He noted that several councillors were absent, with at least one in the audience in protest.
• Eric Fleischmann supported the extension, warning of a moratorium gap between the current rent freeze and the future rent stabilization ordinance. He cited $125-$150 lot rent increases by parks during a statewide stabilization effort and said residents are being forced to choose between rent and food or health insurance.
• Valerie Jackson (Ward 6, Fox Run) said Boa Vita's 2025 purchase brought a 10% lot increase, raising her rent from $500 to $550 a month and new resident rents to $600. She listed lot rent, snow removal and lawn maintenance averaging about $200 a month, water and sewer paid to the park owner, and municipal utility charges, putting her monthly costs at about $750 before her mortgage. She asked for the extension to take effect September 29.
• Kathy Wing (Fox Run) said her rent rose $50 after Boa Vita took over and she expects $100 or more increases if unchecked. She opposed suggestions that residents apply for subsidies and said the stabilization ordinance is the only way she can keep her home; she asked for the extension to cover final ordinance work.
• Louise Martel (Ward 6, Fox Run resident for 30 years) disputed the regional manager's claim that basic lot rents are $420, saying her lot rent is $550 and new tenants pay $600. She said residents pay about $15,200 a year including services and insurance, and objected to using $80,000 of Country Lane repairs to raise rents across all parks.
• Another resident cited a personal rent history from $385 to $550, including a jump after Boa Vita took title, and described sale-related fees including a $600 entrance fee viewed as illegal. The resident calculated the increases averaged about 15.6% per year and said that is unsustainable on a fixed income.
• John Geary (Ward 6, Fox Run Resident Association president) rejected claims that no predatory behavior had been shown. He disputed the assertion that Boa Vita had raised rents only $37 per month on average since 2004, citing the 10% increase from $500 to $550 shortly after purchase, a contested $600 park entrance fee, and the company's use of Country Lane repair costs and planned Stetson development to justify raising rents at all parks. He asked for the moratorium extension to prevent a gap.
• Laurie Horton (Ward 2) opposed the extension, saying council showed no good faith toward park owners and bypassed regular meetings. She criticized the extension length and wording as potentially leaving park owners unable to raise rents for far too long and said restrictions on lot rent increases can lead to displacement and moving costs of at least $4,000.
• John Horton (Ward 2) said the outcome seemed predetermined, called statements that rents could triple unrealistic, and said short notice and back-room dealings had destroyed his trust. He said he had opened his books and tried to work with the council.
• Chris Sarroy (Ward 1, Sunset Gardens) said the council's approach treats park owners as greedy and unethical. He cited Sunset Gardens lot rents of $386 including water and sewer, called warnings of 30% or tripled rent increases insulting, and argued the council's message harms Lewiston's business community.

Council Discussion

• Councillor Herman said Councillor Noble had a prior commitment and wanted to attend.
• One councillor defended the process as open and transparent except for an executive session, adding that he would waive executive-session privilege if enough councillors were present. He said the housing committee worked with residents and park owners, that he had not yet seen the draft stabilization ordinance, and that the moratorium is needed to ensure a fair decision.
• Another councillor explained that an earlier action had been voted down under the impression it might not be needed, but the housing committee needed more time; city legal counsel advised extending the moratorium to avoid a gap. The council expects to finalize the ordinance and lift the moratorium after it passes or fails.

Key Outcomes

• The council gave final passage to the moratorium extension by roll call vote: Ward 1 yes, Ward 3 yes, Ward 6 yes, and the Mayor yes. The motion passed 4-0.
• The extension is effective September 29, 2026.
• The council then voted 4-0 to adjourn.
• Next step: the Lewiston Housing Committee is to complete the lot rent stabilization ordinance; the moratorium is to be lifted once that ordinance is passed or fails.